Social Studies 

Mr. Jenkins 

Beginnings to 1506 

Project #1 

 

Covering the Time Period from 38,000B.C. to the age of Columbus. 

 

So that we may gain a more in depth analysis of this time and its inhabitants, the following projects will be 
assigned. As you work on these projects you are to draw upon the knowledge and experiences gained 
while researching and reading the text. ONE written and ONE speaking project are required. 

 

REQUIRED WRITING: 

 

1. The writing of a newspaper article. To complete this assignment you may pick one of two options. 


 

Option #1 

 

Write a newspaper article on the topic Peopling the Americas. There are several approaches you may 
consider as you prepare to write. Think about the ancient peoples, about the individual characters, the 
social and economic conditions, and the life of an individual living during this time. Think about 
quotes that can be used to illustrate conclusions you wish to highlight. The article does not need to be 
any longer than two pages, so pick just related areas to write about. 

 

Option #2 

 

Write two short news articles, each about one page in length. These shorter articles should be about 
events that happened in the time of the settling of the Americas. You may use your creative abilities to 
dress-up these articles and make them more authentic and interesting. When you add details or create 
additional characters remember that you should write only about things that happened and would have 
been beneficial to better understanding of the events during this time period. 

 

 

2. Now that letter writing is not new for you, you may use those skills by writing one of the following 
letters: 


 

A. A letter to the editor of the local newspaper concerning one of the issues related to settlement. We 
will brainstorm possibilities in class for those of you who choose to do this. 


 

B. Assume the role of one of the characters from your research. Again, we will brainstorm 
possibilities in class for those that wish to write this letter. 

 

NOTE: This letter should be four paragraphs in length minimum and use the procedures and steps for 
letter writing learned in English class. 

 

3. Write an editorial for a newspaper. Before you begin to write you should read several editorials to 
become familiar with what they are. Stop into the library and check the newspapers available there if 
none is available at home. If you are not sure where the editorial page is ASK. As you do your 
background reading you will notice that editorials vary in length; your editorial should be one page in 
length. 


 

4. SPEECH REQUIREMENT: Each student, working individually or in a small group, will make a 
presentation to the class. Suggestions for this project include: 


 

A. Interview. Working in a group of two, write up and present an interview of a character from the 
era being studied. Turn in a written script. 


 


B. Skit. Working in a group of 2 or 3, write and present to the class an original skit based upon an 
event in time you researched. Turn in a written script. 


 

C. Read a poem to the class written about something from the time period we are studying. This may 
require you to do the writing based upon information taken from the research process. 


 

D. Write a speech that would reflect the values of the people involved in the settling of the Americas. 


 

OPTIONAL PROJECTS: 

 

Remember you are in need of completing one writing and one verbal project. The writing and speaking 
projects should be selected from those listed above; the options below may be used for the remaining two. 
The projects listed below may of course be done in groups. The writing project is the only one you must do 
by yourself. 

 

A. Advertising Materials. It will be your job to create at least 6 advertisements for related topics 


of this time period. Research will be necessary to help you create ads that would fit properly with 
our topic. 

 

B. Cartoons and Puzzles. Work on these by sharing ideas with fellow classmates to determine the 
key concepts presented by our studies. Using these, develop at least 6 completed examples. 


 

C. Your Option. If you feel I have forgotten something that should be included, bring your 

 suggestion to me and we will discuss including it. 

 

 

DUE DATE: All written materials should be word processed. 


